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Race Results

Tour of Gila

Stage 3

New Mexico, USA

Stage 1    Stage 2    Stage 3    Stage 4    Stage 5

117.5km

Stage three, win three.  Canadian Geneviève Jeanson of the RONA/Esker cycling team added 5 minutes and a half to her overall lead at the Tour of the Gila today in New Mexico.  Jeanson completed a very tough 117.5-km stage in 3 hours, 45 minutes, 35 seconds at an average speed of 31.3 km/h.

 Lynn Gaggioli (Velo Bella) and RONA/Esker’s Karen Bockel came in second and third respectively, 5’ 22” behind Jeanson.  Manon Jutras (Saturn), Katrina Grove (T Mobile) and Leah Goldstein (Victory Brewing / Amoros), who rank second, third and fourth in general classification, finished with the same time as Gaggioli and Bockel. 

 After three stages, Jeanson now enjoys a more than nine minute-lead over Manon Jutras, and more than 12 minutes over Katrina Grove.  Thanks to her performance today, Karen Bockel climbed from 10th to 6th spot overall. 

Today’s stage was highlighted by three major climbs, with a downhill finish – and a strong headwind.  At kilometre 12 of the race, at the foothills of the first mountain of the day, RONA/Esker’s Karen Bockel launched the attack of the day and brought her leader in her wake.  Jutras leaped to follow the break.  But after three kilometres of climbing Jeanson was all by herself and on to a 100-km time trial.  About 50 km from the finish, her lead reached 7’ 45’’.  Jeanson paced herself.  With a downhill finish and a headwind, the group of chasers had the advantage and made up some time. 

“Two RONA/Eskers on the stage podium, it’s a good day”, said a happy RONA/Esker’s manager André Aubut after the stage.   

“I feel so much better than last year” added Jeanson.  “Not that it’s easier, racing is always tough, but riding the bike feels better.  Today, the hard part was from half race to the last feed zone, at the 100-km mark.  It’s a weird feeling, you’re by yourself, you’re tired, yet you know you still have so long to ride, you really have to focus to go on pushing, the head has to take over.”  

Tomorrow’s stage is a 35-km criterium in the streets of Silver City – an opportunity for sprinters to shine.   

The five-day race is held until Sunday, May 4, in New Mexico.  The race web site is at www.tourofthegila.com.  

Third stage :  Silver City – Fort Bayard

Stage standings

 General Classification after three stages

 Team RONA/Esker is one of only two Canadian women’s cycling teams in the Elite Category that are recognized by the International Cycling Union. The team is made up of four Canadian racers (Geneviève Jeanson, Andrea Hannos, Carrie Tuck and Erinne Willock), French racers Catherine Marsal and Magali Le Floc’h, New Zealander Melissa Holt, German Karen Bockel and American Kristen LaSasso.

RONA is Canada’s leading hardware and home renovation retailer (www.rona.ca). Esker is a natural spring water from the north of Canada, sold in North America and Asia (www.eskerwater.com).

The team also receives equipment and service sponsorships from many companies, including Colnago, Biemme, Shimano, Michelin, Mavic, Diadora, Limar, Selle Italia, ITM, Look, CatEye, Tacx, Finish Line, Cane Creek, Saris, Power Tap, Cycles Lambert and Club Médico-Sportif. 

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